The Ministry of Qatar new GenAI-powered system cuts building permit approval time from 30 days to just 2 hours.
Qatar has unveiled an AI-powered building permit system, marking a major milestone in its national digital transformation. The Ministry of Municipality’s new platform uses GenAI to automate permit reviews, drastically cutting processing time from 30 days to 120 minutes. The initiative reflects the government’s goal to modernize public services and improve efficiency through intelligent automation.
The core challenge for Qatar’s urban planning sector was the time-consuming and error-prone process of manual drawing verification. Engineers and consultants often faced long approval cycles caused by inconsistent standards and fragmented workflows. By using GenAI, the new system now automatically reads, analyzes, and validates engineering blueprints, detecting compliance issues in real time. This ensures precision while maintaining transparency and uniform technical standards across all applications.
The Ministry reports that the system has achieved 70% digital completion in its first rollout phase. It integrates computer vision models trained to interpret complex structural data, verifying designs against official codes without human intervention. Applicants receive immediate feedback, allowing faster revisions and final approvals. This innovation has significantly enhanced user satisfaction and reduced administrative bottlenecks.
Officials emphasized that this deployment aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, signaling the nation’s leadership in using GenAI for governance. By embedding AI into the permit workflow, Qatar is setting a new benchmark for smart infrastructure governance, enabling faster urban development while preserving quality and safety. The success of this system highlights how GenAI can merge efficiency, precision, and service accessibility in public administration.
